President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. concluded a highly productive week marked by a successful five-day State Visit to India that yielded significant milestones in strengthening the partnership of the Philippines with one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
Upon arriving in New Delhi on August 4, President Marcos hit the ground running by meeting the Filipino community, recognizing Filipino workers’ immense contributions and sacrifices abroad, and reaffirming the administration’s commitment to enhancing programs to improve their welfare and protect their rights.
On August 5, President Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos were formally welcomed with full ceremonial honors by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India, followed by a solemn visit to Raj Ghat to honor the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
President Marcos then proceeded to a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House, where they officially announced the elevation of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and India to a Strategic Partnership, which opens doors for deeper collaboration in previously underexplored sectors such as digital technology, renewable energy, healthcare, defense, trade, and space cooperation.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing and exchange of 13 landmark agreements covering defense and maritime cooperation, legal assistance, science and technology, tourism, digital innovation, space research, and cultural exchange.
In his remarks during the bilateral meeting, President Marcos expressed appreciation for India’s decision to lift its export ban on non-basmati rice, recognizing its importance in supporting the Philippines’ food security. He likewise highlighted the shared values and strategic priorities of both countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
In response, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing ties with the Philippines by announcing the grant of free e-visas for Filipino tourists — a reciprocal move following Manila’s visa-free entry policy for Indian nationals.
In his remarks during a joint press conference following the bilateral meeting, President Marcos announced the resumption of direct flights between the Philippines and India starting in October, a vital development expected to boost tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations.
A commemorative stamp featuring the national flowers of the Philippines and India—the sampaguita and the lotus—was also unveiled during the event, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
On the same day, President Marcos met with Bharatiya Janata Party Chair and Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda to explore opportunities for collaboration in the health sector, particularly in exchanging best practices and innovative solutions to enhance the Philippine healthcare system.
The President capped off his second day in India with a bilateral meeting with President Droupadi Murmu and a state banquet, where he described his State Visit as “one of the most productive and constructive” overseas engagements, expressing confidence that the newly launched Strategic Partnership will open fresh opportunities for cooperation and development.
On August 6, President Marcos led the Philippines-India CEO Roundtable at the Taj Mahal Hotel, gathering 17 top executives from the Philippines and India representing key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, healthcare, digital services, and manufacturing.
In his keynote speech, the President reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment for Indian investors through a series of significant economic reforms and strategic initiatives to enhance bilateral trade and investment.
“Our investment environment is the most open and liberal that it has ever been,” President Marcos said as he wooed Indian business leaders to invest in the Philippines.
The President also held a separate meeting with top executives of GMR Group, a key partner in the US$3–4 billion Sangley Aerocity Project in Cavite, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs and significant revenues, and supports the Philippines’ infrastructure and investment agenda.
While in India, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered a 60-day suspension of rice imports starting September 1, following a recommendation from Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., to protect local farmers from falling palay prices caused by a global rice surplus and influx of cheaper imports.
Wrapping up his visit to New Delhi before proceeding to Bengaluru, President Marcos delivered a key foreign policy address at a forum hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), urging stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region to collaborate in upholding the established rules-based international order amid growing regional and global challenges.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of upholding international law, strengthening maritime security, and deepening cooperation between ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability, and inclusive growth.
On August 7, the President flew to Bengaluru, India’s tech and innovation hub, for the second leg of his India trip, where he led another business meeting with top Indian firms.
At the Philippines-India Business Forum, President Marcos witnessed the signing of 18 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Letters of Intent (LOIs), securing significant business deals in key sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, education, IT-BPM, digital services, and manufacturing.
In his speech, President Marcos underscored the Philippines’ commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment by implementing structural reforms and ensuring clear and transparent policies.
President Marcos likewise emphasized the strong synergy between the Philippines and India, noting shared potential to shape regional standards and collaborate in key sectors such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy transition, and digital innovation.
Aside from the business forum, President Marcos also conducted a series of business meetings with senior executives from Hinduja Group, NephroPlus, iSON Group, and Tata Group, focusing on expanding collaboration in digital transformation, healthcare, and sustainable economic development.
The President reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to positioning itself as a prime investment destination in Southeast Asia and strengthening alliances that promote inclusive growth and innovation.
Before returning to the Philippines on August 8, the President met with the media delegation for his regular “Kapihan with the Media,” in which he answered several queries about his trip and various domestic issues.
In his arrival statement, President Marcos shared the highlights of his State Visit to India, announcing real investments worth USD 446 million and potential investments of up to USD 5.8 billion across key sectors such as digital infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and IT-BPM.
The President stressed that the key agreements are expected to generate over 4,000 direct jobs and provide digital training to more than 26,000 Filipinos by 2026, fueling a major boost to the nation’s economic growth. | PND
